The Cornflower Witch

Since contracting with Sylutia, the Crack-Electric Evil Eye had been living well. When it used to drift in the Astral Plane, it might take years to have a decent meal, because the Astral Plane was so empty that encounters with creatures were rare.

During those years of adventuring in the Western Mountain Range, Sylutia had slain many monsters. Because they were hard to carry, after harvesting the important materials she usually left most of the corpses to the Evil Eye.

Unnoticed, the creature’s strength gradually reached its peak, and only this year did it officially breakthrough into Fifth Tier.

After leaving the Western Mountain Range, Sylutia didn’t face any formidable opponents for a long time, and she didn’t know the Evil Eye had advanced until she tried summoning it again today and discovered it had already leveled up.

If Sylutia were still only Third Tier now, she likely wouldn’t have been able to maintain the old contract. Summoning a Fifth-Tier creature isn’t the same as summoning a Fourth-Tier one; you must break through a powerful rejection from the world’s source. If the anchor point itself isn’t strong enough, it only invites backlash.

Fortunately, her own advancement speed wasn’t slow either. Now that she had progressed, she could withstand summoning a Fifth-Tier being.

Lightning wandered through the cloud layers, the sky spanning nearly a hundred kilometers, and thunder claps manifesting intermittently like massive shapes appearing in the air. During the Season of Rising Winds, the power of the Vaulted Sky Aspect rises, and this was its peak. Influenced by the Vaulted Sky Aspect in the atmosphere, the Thunder Demon Eye’s strength also increased substantially. It drew in the terrifying thunderbolts in the clouds like a long whale sucking in water, then converted them into its own power.

Terrifying lightning gathered inside the pupil, locking onto the tiny figure below that looked like an ant beneath the sky.

Blinding electricity sizzled and formed faint filaments. Gilson suddenly felt his body grow lighter, a tingling numbness spreading across him. Before he could fully react, an enormously thick, dazzling bolt of thunder pierced the heavens, briefly illuminating the clouds and turning the night as bright as day.

[Thunder Heaven Strike]

The thunder on the vault of the sky descended like divine might, tearing the atmosphere, shattering mountains, reducing enemies to dust.

This strike’s power likely reached the strength of Sixth Tier. The brief night sky flashed, and Gilson below turned into charred fragments in the terrifying glare, then disintegrated ionically. Seconds later, when the lightning faded, there was no trace of Gilson left in the air.

This was bad, Sylutia saw the result and had not expected the Thunder Demon Eye’s full-power strike to be so potent. Because the attack wasn’t cast by her but controlled by the Demon Eye, and she was only responsible for calibration, the power could not be restrained. The result was Gilson being utterly ionized and vaporized — leaving almost no ash. Even a Blood Clan with powerful regeneration could not recover from that state.

Later, they would only be able to gather information from Gilson’s residence and his former aides.

Sylutia slowly descended from the sky and waved to bid farewell to the Demon Eye on the vault; the creature gradually vanished into the clouds and returned to the Astral Plane.

.......

Far away on the mainland, the Ninth Train

Master Ge Zhen stood on the locomotive’s deck, watching the lightning fade into the horizon. Seeing the alien-star aura dissipate, he relaxed his grip on the law scepter.

“It seems the fight is over. I just wonder what exactly happened over in Worze District.”

Behind him, Amisa and Kubo retracted their light and discussed the situation.

“Not long ago, Novadon sent word that the line will be operational soon. He also briefly reported the situation in the city, said there was a minor rebellion, but it was already resolved.”

“That dazzling lightning just now was probably the result of those two sides clashing.”

“I remember the defending mage of Worze District, Garret, came from the Lightning School. This was likely his doing.”

“With the Vaulted Sky Aspect’s blessing, members of the Lightning School are slightly stronger during that period.”

“If everything goes smoothly then it’s good.” Ge Zhen’s junior stepped onto the deck, preparing to inform the conductor that they would depart shortly.

Seventy minutes earlier, Silan Ti Ya and Novadon had returned to the train; after that trip, they were short one person and one beast.

“That one is Mr. Gilson’s contracted Illusion Flame Firefox. The track damage afterward wasn’t my doing.” Silan Ti Ya introduced the train members.

At this moment, Gilson’s wrists were shackled, and the Illusion Flame Firefox was locked in a custom cage, alertly watching everyone with seven quick leaps.

“Although a criminal, the intelligence I reported is crucial and ties into the ongoing investigation, so detain me for now and keep me under the train. Let me redeem my offense by helping finish the investigation,” Silan Ya explained.

Facing Sixth Tier Master Ge Zhen, Kossel clearly showed more reverence. He bowed and explained how things happened, then promised to assist the train crew to redeem himself.

Although Master Ge Zhen was quite displeased at the hours lost, getting angry now was pointless. He nodded coolly and ordered the train to start.

Soon the locomotive bellowed a long whistle again, the wheels slowly turned, the rhythmic thudding quickened and accelerated into a roaring thunder as it sped along the rails into the distance.

On the train, several Inspection Department members took Kossel to a specialized prison carriage equipped with sealing magic arrays and guards; even a Fifth-Tier prisoner would find escape difficult.

Elsewhere, Ti Ya sat at a small table in a carriage opposite a woman with purple curled hair, the president of the Purple Silk Guild, Cerise.

“My livelihood and most of my wealth went to the alliance. Miss Hedra, you can’t just abandon me, can you?” Saying this, she requested to board the train and head to Candela to seek new business opportunities.

Of course another reason might be that she felt Worze District had limited prospects and wanted to relocate. She likely requested to follow because she coveted Sylutia’s position as an Inspector.

Wherever you go, to build a major business you need official protection; otherwise many contracts and agreements are worthless.

This guild president was Fourth Tier. Although not remarkable on the train, her strength was rare in merchant circles.

“I once trained at the Key-and-Lock School’s Clarke Academy,” she said, slipping a finger painted with purple-red polish into her chest and producing a key, gently swinging it in the lamplight.

[Amethyst Heart Key] (Fourth Tier · Rare); a special spatial key made with an Amethyst Charm Gemstone as its core. It can store items and enhance the user’s charm, slightly boosting illusion-related abilities. (Storage Space +1, Charm Enhancement +1)

The Key-and-Lock School specialized in making keys and locks; its spells and constructs often relate to spatial, sealing, isolation, and opening concepts.

“Have you been to northern Candela, President Cerise?” Sylutia looked at the key and asked.

“Once, long ago. There are continuous, magnificent stone walls there, three hundred meters high like a dragon’s spine dividing the land. These walls were erected and repeatedly reinforced by generations of mages; they’re extremely sturdy.”

“Moreover, during construction the walls were outfitted with huge wind-wheel machinery. If activated, they can create air currents that draw in the vault of the sky.”

“To build this nearly thousand-kilometer defensive line, the Alliance used to send students from different schools there each year to intern — both to practice their skills and to help construct the defense. The tradition gradually ended about a century ago because the line was mostly completed; maintenance sufficed afterward.”

“The last time I went was sixteen years ago. As a Key-and-Lock School member, I worked on maintenance. It was the Season of Rising Winds then; the weather was calm, and the north was relatively warm.”

Through talking with Cerise, Sylutia slowly learned more about Candela, though Cerise had only been a student back then and had never entered the city’s core, only glimpsing the towering furnace that stood upon the land.

“Nearly a million people live there now. Besides human mages, many are gray-maned beastmen,” Cerise recalled.

“They mostly have curved horns, thick dark-gray fur, large builds, and favor green-feed grass cakes. They supposedly settled the area long ago.”

“When the Alliance built the North Wind Defense Line, they hired members of those tribes. Over time, their lifestyle became integrated with the defense line; relying on the massive walls, many beastmen tribes spread out along it.”

“They herd locally, grow simple crops, and live an ancient, simple life.”

“If you can use them as an entry point for business, it should bring solid trade opportunities,” Cerise offered her idea.

They chatted more for a while as night deepened. After Ti Ya finished inspecting the carriages again, it was already four in the morning.

In the morning light, Ti Ya woke drowsily. Though still sleepy, she couldn’t continue sleeping.

After washing up, she left her room and saw Cerise by the door, leaning on a scabbard to rest. When Ti Ya stepped out, Cerise opened her eyes immediately.

After greeting teammates, Ti Ya headed to the dining car with Cerise following.

Along the way, Cerise asked about last night’s events and then shook her head slightly.

“Your action chasing City Lord Gilson was still too risky. If he had backup or other Blood Clan support, the result could have been bad.”

“Thanks for the reminder, Cerise.” The girl blinked and didn’t stubbornly defend herself; instead she cheerfully accepted the comment.

Seeing this, Cerise didn’t press further. She felt the girl had grown used to such admonitions and always found the quickest way to end the topic.

The pursuit of Gilson was indeed risky, but Sylutia had self-protection measures and confidence. Many things she couldn’t tell Cerise, so she answered briefly. Cerise’s worry, however, warmed her a little.

When they reached the dining car, the attendant greeted Sylutia warmly and asked what the girl wanted to eat.

Sylutia already knew that if she said “anything,” the attendant would enthusiastically recommend a lavish meal. So she deliberately ordered a relatively plain dish.

“Just a simple fried fish and rice.”

“Simple? There is no such word as simple in our Golden House chef team. That belittles our skill and pursuit! Miss Hedra, tell us what you truly crave. We must prove our honor!” the attendant protested with righteous fervor.

His loud announcement drew curious glances from many in the dining car. Though a curtain hid Sylutia’s appearance, everyone knew who sat inside.

“Oh my, such a loud voice might disturb others~” A woman with flax-colored long curls approached with an amused smile, finger raised wagging slightly to quiet the attendant.

“Ah, Lady Amisa.” The attendant immediately bowed and escorted her to a seat.

Sitting across from Sylutia, Amisa leaned slightly forward to rest some weight on the table and relax.

“Don’t know what to eat, Hedra? Let me order this time,” she offered, taking the menu.

“All right, Miss Amisa.” Though Amisa spoke gently, Sylutia felt it would go badly to refuse.

“That’s the right attitude. Hedra is still developing; she should eat well.” Amisa flipped the menu and instructed the attendant.

“Bring a fragrant stewed rock beef, sliced snow-rabbit sausages, cheese-baked asparagus, honey-apple syrup, and a date-paste pie.”

“Very good.” The attendant took the menu, returned to the kitchen with his head high, and loudly announced the day’s dishes, eliciting enthusiastic responses.

So much food — would she be able to finish it? As Sylutia pondered the meal, Amisa propped her hands and rested her head, studying the girl.

Sunlight filtered through the curtain and fell on Sylutia, illuminating her black dress with gold trim. The girl’s young earlobe looked slightly translucent and rounded in the light; fine down on her cheek showed in the glow.

So young, thought Amisa, turning to the girl’s hair rimmed with golden light.

“Is Hedra from the distant East?”

“No. I’m from Novadon at the north of Meteorite Lake.”

“Is that so? But your features have traces of Eastern people — calm and tender,” Amisa commented.

“Miss Amisa, have you been to the Eastern Sixth Continent?”

“No, though I’ve met an Eastern person before — a pharmacist who came to the Mage Alliance to exchange and study. She was from the Eastern Verdant Grove Pavilion, a famous sect in the East.”

“Oh, can you tell me about the East?”

“Of course.” Amisa smiled and began.

“The Sixth Continent in the East is protected by the Emerald Dragon. Besides the ancient Seven Dragons of the old laws, this powerful dragon rose in the Eighth Epoch. It has no wings yet can soar, and it governs the authority that makes vegetation thrive.”

“As one of the Hours that appeared in the Eighth Epoch, it once oversaw the Verdant Nectar Aspect. Later it divided that Aspect into four portions and gave them to four Fairy Monarchs, making them Hours in charge of the four seasons. Then it secluded itself in the Eastern heavenly manor, the Azure Jade Pool.”

“Although some authority was divided, it remained the strongest law dragon besides the Corona Dragon. You could say the source of the Dragon Eye Aspect is held by these two.”

“Those two great dragons reportedly had good relations and once maintained fleets that crossed the boundless cloudsea, traveling between the Sixth Continent and the First Continent for exchanges and trade.” Amisa’s words made Sylutia feel a bit dazed as fragments of memory flickered in her mind.

It seemed she had once traveled on those fleets that crossed the cloudsea between the two continents.

Meizhalansi’s house head, the Aster Sorceress Sherin, had served as an ambassador for the Sun Dynasty and led fleets to the distant East to exchange and study.

Half of her bloodline came from that faraway continent.

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